The Culture of the Currant and the Gooseberry i593 



shade of a building or fence may be chosen. The currant does well when 

 planted in the shade of trees, and because of this it may be used to advan- 

 tage as a filler in the orchard. When so used it shotild be planted in rows 

 between the rows of trees, and not between the trees in a row. 



propagation 



The currant is propagated commercially by means of stem cuttings. 

 The new wood of the previous summer's growth is taken and cut into pieces 

 about eight or ten inches in length. The base should be cut smoothly 



m^,^^^ 



^■■■■r: 



Fig. 249. — A healthy and vigorous currant bush 



just below a bud. The length should be estimated and the top cut 

 obliquely just above a bud. The purpose of cutting with reference to 

 the buds is to avoid stubs, which do not heal readily and which often 

 cause hollow branches. The end of the new growth should be removed, 

 since it contains too many buds that are weak and immature. Better 

 growth results if the top is cut back to a strong bud. 



The cuttings are made in the fall, usually during September, and tied 

 into bundles. It is the desire of most nurserymen to hasten the growth 

 of the callus at the base of the cutting. In order to accomplish this, 



